Welcome to the website of the ZWU
The Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU)
Established in 2003, the ZWU is an inter- and transdisciplinary research centre at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), dedicated to innovative environmental research focussing primarily on biodiversity, the urban water cycle and water quality.
How to become a Member
Strategic research area water research
The ZWU coordinates the University´s strategic research area "water research" by pooling the experience and resources from scientists and experts in water and environmental research from the UDE, the University Alliance Ruhr (UAR) and the region to improve interdisciplinary collaboration.
More about the strategic research area water research
Learn more about the ZWU We have a new image film!
Get to know the ZWU!
Our new image film offers insights into current research, the interdisciplinary ZWU network and key research areas.
Find out how the Water Graduate School is fostering the experts of tomorrow.
Latest ZWU News
2025-09-26
Forschung,PresseinfoNew roadmap in Nature Microbiology
Fair Rules for Sharing Sequence Data
2025-09-01
Forschung,PresseinfoTyre Wear Particles in the Rhine
How Microplastics are Changing River Ecology
2025-08-07
Campus,Zur PersonSebastian Schmuck is Sustainability Manager
“I hope we get the chance to do things better this time.“
2025-07-18
Research, NetworkPublication in Nature Communications
New Dynamics Discovered in Heterogeneous Catalysis
ZWU Events
March 17th 2026 ZWU WATER DAY
The ZWU Water Day will be celebrated on March 17th 2026.
The strategic research area coordinated by the ZWU
Under the leadership of the ZWU, the strategic research area is dedicated to the sustainable use of water as a global resource and the protection of water bodies and their biodiversity.
Water Graduate School
The Water Graduate School (WGS) is a strategic career development platform providing individual support and advancement to early career researcher in the field of water research.
German Society for Membrane Technology (DGMT) e.V.
The office of the German Society for Membrane Technology (DGMT) e.V. is located at the ZWU. For more information on the DGMT please visit the DGMT website.
Water Science Alliance (WSA) e.V.
The office of the Water Science Alliance (WSA) e.V. is located at the ZWU. For more information on the WSA please visit the WSA website.